Spinning reel having balancing means

ABSTRACT

A spinning reel has a reel body and a rotor attached attached to the reel body and rotatable about a longitudinal axis for retrieving a fishing line. The spinning reel has also a balancer attached to the rotor for restricting an imbalance amount of rotation of the rotor substantially within 200 g -mm.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/881,790,filed May 12, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,957.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a spinning reel having a balancingmeans for restricting rotational imbalance of a rotor.

2. Description of the Related Art

There is known a spinning reel having a balancer weight attached to arotor as the above-mentioned balancing means (e.g. Japanese laid-openutility model gazette No. 52-80887).

However, with the above-described balancer weight, it is difficult toachieve complete solution to the rotational imbalance. On the otherhand, it has been practically impossible to modify a configuration ofthe rotor or an arrangement of components thereof for the sole purposeof improvement in the balance.

With this type of balancer, the farther the balancer is disposedrelative to the rotational axis, the greater a value of the momentbecomes. Therefore, in often times, a balancer of a relatively smallweight will suffice for the purpose. However, in the case of theconventional construction where the balancer is attached to acylindrical portion of the rotor, since this cylindrical portion isusually arranged at an inner side of a skirt portion of the rotor, thebalancer can not project outwards at this portion, so that the balancernecessarily tends to be large in weight.

Then, in order to arrange the balancer without being interfered with bythe skirt portion of the spool, it is conceivable to arrange thebalancer at a rear end portion (on the side of the spool body) of therotor. However, since this portion usually is not formed with highmanufacturing precision, there arises a new problem that the arrangementof the balancer at this position may adversely affect the physicalstrength of this portion.

Moreover, in disposing the balancer at the rear end portion of therotor, if the balancer is attached here in such a manner as to projectsignificantly from an outer periphery of the rotor, this balancer maycome into contact with e.g. an angler's finger in the course of rotationof the rotor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide animproved spinning reel of the above type which allows a user of the reelto restrict rotational vibration of the rotor within a permissible rangethus allowing smooth line-retrieving operation by well balancing therotor rotation without sacrificing other functions of the spinning reel.

For accomplishing the above-noted object, according to thecharacterizing features of the present invention, a spinning reelcomprises:

a reel body;

a rotor attached to the reel body and rotatable about a longitudinalaxis for retrieving a fishing line; and

a balancing means attached to the rotor for restricting an imbalanceamount of rotation of the rotor substantially within 200 g -mm.

Functions and effects of the above features will be described next.

By using a commercially available rotational balance testing machine,the present inventor has conducted intensive experiments with aplurality of spinning reels having rotor diameters ranging approximatelybetween 40 mm and 100 mm. Then, it has been found out that a rotationalimbalance amount not exceeding approximately 200 g -mm is sufficient torestrict vibration resulting from the imbalance to such a degree as notto provide discomfort to the user while complete elimination ofrotational vibration is yet to be achieved with said amount.

Therefore, the construction of the present invention can achievepractically sufficient performance with the advantage of facility indesigning of the rotor in comparison with the conventional constructionwhich involves a great amount of works in designing often with the aidof a computer to determine the appropriate disposing position and theweight of the balancing means.

That is, as described above, through the experiments, the presentinventor has come to realize that a rotational imbalance amount notexceeding approximately 200 g -mm is sufficient to restrict vibrationresulting from the imbalance to such a degree as not to providediscomfort to the user while complete elimination of rotationalvibration is yet to be achieved with said amount.

Then, the inventor proceeded to obtain an amount of deviation in thecenter of gravity as a value derived by dividing the rotationalimbalance amount by a mass of the rotor. Then, it was found that thisdeviation amount is maintained substantially lower than 3.5 mm in theabove-described situation.

Therefore, by restricting the gravity-center deviation amountsubstantially within 3.5 mm, it is possible to determine a referencevalue which is independent of the size of the rotor, whereby a moreprecise rotor balance control becomes possible.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a spinning reelcomprises:

a reel body;

a rotor attached to the reel body to rotate for retrieving a fishingline, the rotor including a base end portion supported to the rotor tobe rotatable about a longitudinal axis and a pair of arm portionsextending from the base end portion along the longitudinal axis;

a bail extending between the arm portions;

the rotor and the bail together constituting a rotary unit having tworeference positions spaced apart from each other with a predetermineddistance therebetween along the longitudinal axis; and

a balancing means attached to the rotor for restricting an imbalanceamount of rotation of the rotor substantially within 200 g -mm at eachof the two reference positions.

The above features can achieve the distinguished functions and effectsto be described next.

Based on the results of the afore-described experiments, by restrictingthe imbalance amount of rotation lower than approximately 200 g -mm ateach reference position, it becomes possible to reduce a centrifugalforce at the rotor face rotating about the longitudinal axis at therespective reference positions thereby to achieve a static balance andalso to restrict generation of torque about an axis normal to thelongitudinal axis thereby to achieve a dynamic balance.

In short, through the simple arrangement for restricting the rotationalimbalance amount within 200 g-mm, in the case also of a rotor having thebase end portion and the arm portions disposed side by side along thelongitudinal axis, it has become possible to achieve not only the staticbalance but also the dynamic balance through the restriction of thetorque generation, such that the spinning reel having these features canprovide a smooth line retrieving operation without giving the useruncomfortable feel.

Further, and other objects, features and effects of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following more detailed description of theembodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the presentinvention; in which,

FIG. 1 is a side view of a rotor,

FIG. 2 is a front view of the rotor,

FIG. 3 is a plane view of the rotor,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an entire spinning reel,

FIG. 5 is a graph showing load-torque characteristics after a balanceadjustment,

FIG. 6 is a graph showing load-torque characteristics before the balanceadjustment,

FIG. 7 is an overall side view with some parts being cut away,

FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating a further embodiment in which adisposing arrangement of a balancer is modified,

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a condition where a pair of arm portionsare sideways displaced from a rotational center relative to thecondition shown in FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a further condition where a balancerhaving a rotary face at a forward portion thereof is displaced to theopposite side across the rotational center relative to the condition ofFIG. 9,

FIG. 11 is a front view a further embodiment in which a disposingarrangement of the balancer is further modified,

FIG. 12 is an overall side view of a spinning reel relating to thefurther embodiment,

FIG. 13 is a side view showing a spinning reel relating to a stillfurther embodiment,

FIG. 14 is a front view showing the spinning reel of FIG. 13,

FIG. 15 is a side view showing an entire spinning reel relating to astill further embodiment,

FIG. 16 is a section view showing a click mechanism incorporated in thereel of FIG. 15,

FIG. 17 is a side view showing an arrangement of a balancer for a reelrelating to a still further embodiment,

FIG. 18 is a side view showing the entire reel of FIG. 17,

FIG. 19 is a plane view showing a control mechanism incorporated in thereel of FIG. 17,

FIG. 20 is a plane view illustrating the control mechanism of the reelof FIG. 17 under a line releasing condition,

FIG. 21 is a side view showing an arrangement of a balancer for a reelrelating to a still further embodiment, and

FIG. 22 is a front view showing an arrangement of the balancer of thereel of FIG. 21.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of a spinning reel relating to the presentinvention will now be described in details with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

A spinning reel relating to a first embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4 and7. As shown, the spinning reel includes a reel body 2 having a handle 1.At forward positions of the reel body 2, there are disposed a rotor 4having a bail 3 and a spool 5 for retrieving an unillustrated fishingline. At other forward positions of the reel body 2, there are alsodisposed a cylindrical shaft 6 for transmitting a force from the handle1 to the rotor 4 and a spool shaft 7 which supports a spool 5.

The rotor 4 includes a cylindrical base end portion and a pair of armportions 4A, 4A extending from the base end portion along a longitudinalaxis X. The arm portions 4A, 4A are so disposed as oppose to each otheracross the longitudinal axis X. One arm portion 4A carries an arm cam 8and the other arm portion 4A carries a pivotable arm 9; and the bail 3is provided between the arm cam 8 and the pivotable arm 9. This bail 3is switchable between a line releasing position and a line retrievingposition.

The arm cam 8 includes a line roller 10 acting as a line guide unit forguiding the fishing line. Further, in this spinning reel, there areprovided balancing means B, B at two positions along the longitudinalaxis for the purpose of offsetting weight imbalance resulting from theweights of such components as the arm portions 4A, 4A, the bail 3, thearm cam 8, the pivotable arm 9 and the line roller 10.

Particularly, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, in this reel, thereare assumed rotary flat faces S, T which act as reference positionsalong the longitudinal axis at forward and rear positions with respectto the rotor 4. Then, a moment value is obtained by multiplying theweights of the components including the arm portions 4A, 4A, the bail 3,the arm cam 8, the pivotable arm 9 and the line roller 10 and an armlength extending in a radial direction from the longitudinal axis Xwhere the weights of the components are present. Then, this moment valueis divided between lengths corresponding to distances from the positionof the gravity to the respective rotary flat faces S, T. That is to say,the moment is divided in such a manner that the moment divided betweenthe rotary flat faces S, T will not produce a torque. In this way, themoment values divided between the flat faces S, T are composed withinthe rotary flat faces. This composite moment is considered as animbalance rotation amount between the two rotational flat faces S, T.Then, by disposing the balancing means B at appropriate positions, thesebalancing means B produce a counter moment for offsetting the compositemoment.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the pair of arm portions 4A, 4A aredisplaced by a predetermined amount D relative to the longitudinal axisX thereby to form the one balancing means B and also, as illustrated inFIG. 3, two balancers 11, 11 are disposed at the base end portion toform the other balancing means B.

That is to say, a point PS subjected to the above-described compositemoment is displaced towards the bail 3 relative to the longitudinalrotational axis X. Therefore, the displacement amount D of the pair ofarm portions 4A, 4A is so set as to locate a center of gravity QS of thebalancing means B at a position opposed to the position of the point PSacross the axis X.

The balancers 11, 11 are disposed outwardly of an outer periphery of therotor 4 and also inwardly of a rotational path U of an outer peripheralportion of the arm portion 4A, as viewed from the direction of thelongitudinal rotational axis X. This can prevent contact between e.g. auser's finger and the balancers 11 during a line retrieving operation.That is, the arrangement not only reduces the weights of the balancers11, 11 but also prevents the contact between the finger and thebalancers without requiring any special elements for these purposes.

Incidentally, on this rotational flat face the point PT subjected to thecomposite moment appears as shown in FIG. 2. So, that the balancers 11,11 are so disposed as to cause a composite gravity center QT of thesetwo balancers 11, 11 to appear at the position opposed to the point PTacross the rotational axis X.

As a result, when a fishing line retrieving operation is effected byrotating the handle of this reel, this line retrieving operation can beeffected in a smooth manner because of the rotational balance ismaintained at the forward and rear positions of the rotor 4. During aline casting operation also, it is possible to restrict rotationalirregularity due to imbalance of the rotor 4.

Further, since the balancer 11 is disposed at the rear end side of therotor 4, as compared with the conventional reel construction of thistype, it is possible to dispose the balancer 11 farther away from theaxis X. Thus, the weight reduction of the balancer 11 does not result indeterioration in the strength of the rotor 4.

If the balancing means B is so arranged as to restrict the rotationalimbalance amount at the rotational flat faces S, T within 200 g -mm,then, it becomes possible to achieve not only a static balance but alsoa dynamic balance of the rotor 4. Consequently, the line retrievingoperation using the handle can be effected smoothly. Further, during thecasting operation too, rotational vibration due to imbalance of therotor 4 can be effectively restricted.

Experiments were conducted by comparing vibration characteristics of aspinning reel having the imbalance amount at the reference positions setat 6 g -mm (a deviation amount of gravity center not exceeding 1 mm) andthe same spinning reel having the imbalance amount exceeding 200 g -mmbefore the balancing adjustment. The results are shown in FIGS. 4through 6. More particularly, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a sensor is setto sense vibration at a leg portion 2A of the reel to be attached to afishing rod. Using this sensor, vibration characteristics in directions(a), (b) and (c) are obtained. The illustrated characteristics comprisethose in the direction (a) where the vibration affects in the right andleft directions of the reel. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a dot linedenotes a load while a solid line denotes a torque about the direction(a). It may be seen that vartorion in the load and variation in thetorque are both reduced. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, thetorque about the direction (a) in FIG. 4 in the direction transverse tothe axis of rotation varies from about 0 to about 0.1 kg-cm, and thehorizontal load in the same direction varies from about -5 g to about +5g. In the vibration characteristics in the other directions (b), (c)too, the load and torque variations are reduced. These are notillustrated.

Incidentally, in order to further restrict rotation of the rotor 4during a line casting operation, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, in thisspinning reel, a further balancer 1C is provided on the side opposed toa grip portion 1B in order to offset the weights of the arm portions 1Aand the grip portion 1B of the handle 1. With this, imbalance of thehandle 1 relative to the handle shaft 1 can be corrected, so that thehandle 1 can be prevented from being rotated during the castingoperation.

Next, further embodiments of the present invention will be specificallydescribed.

(1) The balancer 11 can be disposed at a plurality of positions alongthe longitudinal axis.

(2) In case the rotor 4 has a relatively short axial length, only onereference position will suffice for the detecting of the imbalanceamount.

(3) It is conceivable to standardize the reference value usableregardless of possible difference in the mass of the rotor 4. In thiscase, the reference value will be obtained by dividing the referenceimbalance amount of 200 g -mm by the mass of the rotor 4 (generallyreferred to as a center of gravity deviation). In practice, it ispreferred that the imbalance amount not exceed 60 g -mm and the gravitycenter deviation amount not excee 2 mm. Further, by considering arotational velocity of the rotor 4 during a line retrieving operation inaddition to the size of the rotor 4, it becomes possible to control therotational imbalance amount according to the JIS standards (JapaneseIndustrial Standards). Specifically, the gravity center deviation amountis multiplied by the rotational velocity to produce a value. Then, bymaintaining this value within a range between 16 and 40 mm/s, it ispossible to cause the rotational performance of the rotor 4 tosubstantially comply with the 6th grade of the JIS.

(4) As illustrated in FIG. 8, it is conceivable to form the balancingmeans B by disposing the balancer 11S at a forward side of therotational flat face S in place of the displacement of the disposingpositions of the pair of arm portions 4A, 4A (i.e. the offsetarrangement as shown in FIG. 2). Further, as shown in the same drawing,it is also conceivable to dispose a single balancer 11T at a rear sideof a rotational flat face T.

(5) FIG. 9 shows a further construction of the balancing means B. Inthis case, relative to the condition of FIG. 8, the pair of arm portions4A, 4A are displaced sideways by an amount D relative to the rotationalcenter and a balancer 11S is provided on a front side rotational flatface S. Alternately, it is conceivable to provide the single balancer11T in the rear side rotational flat face T.

(6) FIG. 10 shows a still further construction of the balancing means B.In this case, relative to the condition of FIG. 9, the pair of armportions 4A, 4A are further displaced sideways by a larger amount Erelative to the rotational center and the balancer 11S is provided onthe side opposite across the rotational center to the displacedpositions of the arm portions 4A, 4A in the forward side rotational flatface S. As also shown in this FIG. 10, it is conceivable to provide thesingle balancer 11T in the rear side rotational flat face T.

(7) FIG. 11 shows a further construction. In this, the balancers 11, 11are provided respectively inside the arm portion 4A of the rotor 4 andat at peripheral portion of this rotor 4 with the balancers 11, 11forming an angle (α) smaller than 90 degrees in the direction along theaxis X. Further, the balancer 11 disposed at the peripheral portion ofthe rotor 4 has a weight greater than that of the other balancer 11disposed inside the rotor 4. This construction has the advantage ofallowing reduction in the weight and the size of the balancer 11disposed inside the rotor 4 thus facilitating arrangement of othercomponents such as a toggle spring inside the arm portion 4A.

The invention provides a further embodiment designed for furtherrestriction of rotation of the rotor 4 during a casting operation. Thatis, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the handle 1 includes a pair of armportions 1A, 1A having a same length and a pair of grip portions 1B, 1Bhaving a same weight. With this, it is possible to further avoidimbalance of the handle 1 relative to the handle shaft thereby toprevent rotation of the handle 1 as well during the casting operation.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a further embodiment of the presentinvention. In this construction, the balancers 11, 11 are disposedadjacent the rear end portion of the rotor 4 on the same side as thegravity center WP of the rotor 4 as viewed in the direction along therotational axis X. So that, a composite gravity center WX of the gravitycenter WP of the rotor 4 and the gravity center W1 of the balancers 11,11 is formed at an intermediate position along the rotational axis X.Then, a further balancer 11' is disposed to provide a gravity center W2at a position opposed to the the position of the composite gravitycenter WX for offsetting the magnitude of this composite gravity centerWX. Further, as shown in the same drawings, it is also conceivable toform, on a rear face side adjacent the rear end of the rotor 4, aplurality of concave portions 4B for accommodating the balancers 11 inorder to allow selective arrangement of the balancers 11 in accordancewith possible irregularities present in the reel products.

A still further construction shown in FIG. 15 is possible for furtherrestricting rotation of the rotor 4 during a casting operation. That is,in this reel construction, the balancer 1C is provided on the sideopposed to the grip portion 1B in order to offset the weights of the armportion 1A and the grip portion 1B of the handle 1. This constructiontoo can solve the problem of imbalance of the handle 1 relative to thehandle shaft thus preventing rotation of the handle 1 during the castingoperation.

In FIG. 16, a reference numeral 12 denotes a click sound generatingmechanism projectable and retractable relative to a disc 15 interposedbetween a friction plate 13 and a drag control element 14 of a dragmechanism. This mechanism generates a clicking sound through engagementand disengagement with and from uneven faces 5A . . . defined inside thespool 5 when there occurs a sliding movement inside the drag mechanism.

A further embodiment of the present invention will be described next.

A construction of a spinning reel of this further embodiment is asfollows. A line roller is provided at a pivotable arm attached to thearm portion of the rotor. At one end of this line roller, there issupported a bail. Further, by using as a reference the pivotable armhaving the line roller, a first balancer is provided at a positioncloser to the reel body than to the pivotable arm. And, at a positionopposed, across the axis, to a composite gravity center composed of thegravity center of the components disposed on the side of the pivotablearm and the gravity center of the first balancer and at an arm portionopposed to the pivotable arm, there is provided a second balancer havinga weight for offsetting the composite gravity center.

With the above-described construction, as illustrated in FIG. 17, thefirst balancer 20 is disposed on the same side as the gravity center WPof the components including the pivotable arm with respect to the axisX, such that the composite gravity center WX composed of the gravitycenter WP and the gravity center W1 of the first balancer 20 appears ata position between the two gravity centers. Then, the second balancer 21having the appropriate weight is provided for offsetting the compositegravity center WX by setting a composite gravity center WX' composed ofa gravity center WP' of the pivotable arm 9' on this side and of itsgravity center W2 on a rotational path of the above-described compositegravity center WX. Accordingly, the weights are balanced in thedirection along the rotational axis X. Moreover, since the respectivecomposite gravity centers WX, WX' are positioned on the same rotationalpath, there occurs no torque or the like during the rotation of therotor 4.

FIG. 17 illustrates moment values of the above balanced conditionrelative to the axis X. As shown, a moment value U1 resulting from theweight of the first balancer 20, a moment value U2 resulting from theweight of the second balancer 21 and a further moment value UP'resulting from the weight of the pivotable arm 9' are balanced with oneanother.

That is to say, by disposing the first balancer on the heavier sideinstead of providing a single balancer, the composite gravity center WXis displaced towards the reel body 2. Consequently, even if the secondbalancer 21 is provided to the rotor 4, this second balancer 21 can bearranged at such position as to offset the weight of this compositegravity center WX.

The rotor 4 includes the pair of arm portions 4A, 4A at positionsopposed to each other across the axis X. Further, for the pivotable arms9, 9' attached to the respective arm portions 4A, 4A, there is attachedthe bail 3 which is switchable between a line releasing position and aline retrieving position.

Further, one of the pivotable arms 9, 9' includes the line roller 10 forguiding the fishing line and a control mechanism A for switching thebail 3 to the releasing position by one step operation. Then, in thisreel, there is provided the balancing means for offsetting imbalance inthe weights of the components including the line roller 10, the controlmechanism A.

Specifically, by using as a reference the gravity center WP of theweights of the components 10, A, etc., the first balancer 20 is providedat the arm portion 4A of the rotor 4 on the side of the reel body 2.Further, with respect to the composite gravity center WX composed of thegravity center WP of the components and the gravity center W1 of thefirst balancer 20, at an opposite position across the axis X and at thearm portion 4A opposed to the pivotable arm 9, there is provided thesecond balancer 21 having an appropriate weight at a position on therotational path of the composite gravity WX composed of the gravitycenter WP' of the pivotable arm 9' on this side and of its gravitycenter W2 in order to offset said composite gravity center WX duringrotation of the rotor 4.

Through the above-described arrangements of the respective balancers 20,21, the weights are balanced with each other in the direction along theaxis X. Further, since the second balancer 21 is disposed at theposition for offsetting the weight of the gravity center WX, even when amechanical looseness is developed at the support construction for therotor 4, there occurs no vibration during the rotation of the rotor 3,whereby a smooth line retrieving action is possible.

Incidentally, the control mechanism A includes a lever 22 pivotablyattached to the arm portion 4a of the rotor 4 to be pivotable about anaxis Y and a cam element 23 operable to switch the pivotable arm 9through contact with the lever 22 when this lever 22 is operatedupwards.

Inside the arm portion 4A of this side, there is incorporated a togglespring 24 for urgedly maintaining the pivotable arm 9 at either the linereleasing position or the line retrieving position. And, this spring 24is covered with a cover member 25.

A still further embodiment of the present invention will be describednext.

According to a reel of this embodiment, the line roller is provided tothe pivotable arm attached to the arm portion of the rotor, with one endof the bail being supported to this line roller. Further, the firstbalancer is provided to the rotor on the side where the bail at its lineretrieving position is located in the direction along the axis that is,on a first half of the rotor. Also, relative to a first compositegravity center composed of the gravity center of the components formedon the pair of arm portions and that of the first balancer, the secondbalancer is provided at a position opposed to the composite gravitycenter across the axis, i.e., on a second half of the rotor. Placementof the second balancer results in a second composite center of gravitywhich offsets the first composite gravity center.

With the above-described construction, as illustrated in FIGS. 21 and22, the first balancer 20 is arranged on the same side as the bail 3with respect to the axis X. So that, although the gravity center WP ofthe components attached to the bail 3 and the pair or arm portions 4A,4A is positioned at a relatively forward portion of the reel, the firstcomposite gravity center WX composed of said gravity center WP and ofthe gravity center W1 of the first balancer 20 is shifted towards thereel body, whereby the weights are balanced with each other in thedirection along the axis. Moreover, since the second balancer 21 isarranged on the rotational path of the first composite gravity centerWX, that is, since the first and second composite gravity centers definerotational paths which coincide there occurs no torque during therotation of the rotor 4.

That is to say, in the case of the above construction too, by arrangingthe first balancer 20 on the heavier side in place of providing a singlebalancer, the first composite gravity center WX is displaced towards thereel body 2. Consequently, even when the second balancer 21 is to beattached to the rotor 4, this second balancer 21 can be disposed at aposition offsetting the first composite gravity WX.

Accordingly, through the unique arrangements of the balancers, thespinning reel of the present invention can provide a smooth lineretrieving action without causing uncomfortable vibration e.g. on thefishing rod even if a high-speed line retrieving action is effectedafter a mechanical looseness is developed in the reel through its usefor an extended period of time.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, there is provided inthe difference in the arrangement of the balancer at the portion of therotor 4.

That is, the first balancer 20 is disposed at a position of the rotor 4,where the bail 3 at its line retrieving position is located in thedirection along the axis X, displaced relative to the reel body 2.Further, with respect to the first composite gravity center WX composedof the gravity center WP of the weights of the components such as thebail 3, the pivotable arm 9, the line roller 10 and so on and of thegravity center W1 of the first balancer 20, at a position opposed to thefirst composite gravity center WX across the axis X, there is providedthe second balancer 21 having the weight capable of offsetting saidfirst composite gravity center WX during the rotation of the rotor 4.

Through the above-described arrangements of the respective balancers 20,21, the weights in the direction along the axis are balanced with eachother. Further, since the second balancer 21 is located at the positioncapable of offsetting the weight of the first composite gravity centerWX, the reel can provide a smooth line retrieving operation withoutcausing vibration during the rotor rotation even after a mechanicallooseness has developed in the support construction for the rotor 4.

In addition to the above-described various embodiments, further modifiedconstructions are conceivable. For instance, it is conceivable to embedthe balancers in the rotor 4. Further, the cover member 25 can be formedof heavy material, i.e., a material having a specific gravity higherthen the specific gravity of the materials used to form the othercomponents of the reel, so that this member can act also as the firstbalancer. Moreover, it is conceivable to render the balancers adjustablein their positions.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A spinning reel comprising:(a) a reel body; (b) aspool mounted on said reel body; (c) a rotor attached to said reel body,said rotor having an axis of rotation and having a plurality ofcomponents each having a mass, said plurality of componentscomprising(i) a base end portion, and (ii) first and second armportions; (d) a handle for rotating said rotor, said handle beingattached to said reel body; and (e) balancer means comprising first andsecond weights each having a mass, said balancer means being affixed tosaid rotor, wherein said balancer means has a mass that is selected suchthat said rotor in combination with said balancer means has a rotationalimbalance less than 60 g-mm.
 2. A spinning reel comprising:(a) a reelbody; (b) a spool mounted on said reel body; (c) a rotor attached tosaid reel body, said rotor having an axis of rotation and having aplurality of components each having a mass, said plurality of componentscomprising(i) a base end portion, and (ii) first and second armportions; (d) a handle for rotating said rotor, said handle beingattached to said reel body; and (e) balancer means comprising first andsecond weights each having a mass, said balancer means being affixed tosaid rotor, wherein said components of said rotor have a mass selectedsuch that said rotor in combination with said balancer means has arotational imbalance less than 60 g-mm.
 3. The spinning reel of claims 1or 2 wherein said rotor (c) further comprises(iii) an arm cam pivotallyaffixed to said first arm portion, (iv) a pivotable arm pivotallyaffixed to said second arm portion, and (v) a bail connected to andextending between said arm cam and said pivotable arm.
 4. The spinningreel of claims 1 or 2 which further comprises a leg portion adapted forattachment to a fishing rod, wherein a torque about an axis transverseto the axis of rotation which varies from about 0 to about 0.1 kg-cm isproduced by rotation of said rotor, said torque being measured at saidleg portion.
 5. The spinning reel of claims 1 or 2 which furthercomprises a leg portion adapted for attachment to a fishing rod, whereina load in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation which variesfrom about -5 g to +5 g is produced by rotation of said rotor, said loadbeing measured at said leg portion.
 6. A spinning reel comprising(a) areel body; (b) a spool mounted on said reel body; (c) a rotor attachedto said reel body, said rotor having an axis of rotation and a center ofgravity which does not lie on said axis of rotation, said rotorcomprising a base end portion, first and second arm portions affixed tosaid base end portion, and a rotary flat face; (d) a handle for rotatingsaid rotor, said handle being attached to said reel body; (e) firstbalancer means affixed to said rotor, said first balancer means having acenter of gravity, said rotor and said first balancer means having acomposite center of gravity between the center of gravity of said rotorand the center of gravity of said first balancer means, said compositecenter of gravity defining a rotational path about said axis ofrotation; and (f) second balancer means affixed to said rotor, saidsecond balancer means having a center of gravity on said rotational pathopposite said composite center of gravity with respect to said axis ofrotation, said rotor in combination with said first and second balancermeans having a rotational imbalance less than 60 g-mm.
 7. A spinningreel comprising:(a) a reel body; (b) a spool mounted on said reel body;(c) a rotor attached to said reel body, said rotor comprising(i) a baseend portion, (ii) first and second arm portions, (iii) an arm campivotally affixed to said first arm portion, (iv) a pivotable armpivotally affixed to said second arm portion, (v) a cover member affixedto at least one of said first and second arm portions, and (vi) a bail,and (d) a handle for rotating said rotor, said handle being attached tosaid reel body, wherein at least two of said components (i)-(vi) of saidrotor are made from a material having a first specific gravity and theremainder of said rotor is formed from materials having specificgravities different from said first specific gravity, such that saidrotor has a rotational imbalance less than 60 g-mm.
 8. A spinning reelcomprising(a) a reel body; (b) a spool mounted on said reel body; (c) arotor attached to said reel body, said rotor having an axis of rotationand first and second halves defined by said axis of rotation, (d) firstbalancer means affixed to said first half of said rotor, said first halfand said first balancer means having a first composite center of gravitywhich defines a first rotational path about said axis of rotation, (e)second balancer means affixed to said second half of said rotor, saidsecond half and said second balancer means having a second compositecenter of gravity which defines a second rotational path about said axisof rotation, and (f) a handle for rotating said rotor, said handle beingattached to said reel body, wherein said first and second rotationalpaths are substantially coincident.
 9. The spinning reel of claim 8having a rotational imbalance less than 60 g-mm.
 10. The spinning reelof claim 8 having a center of gravity deviation less than 1 mm.
 11. Aspinning reel comprising:(a) a reel body; (b) a spool mounted on saidreel body; (c) a rotor attached to said reel body, said rotorcomprising(i) a base end portion, and (ii) opposed arm portions; (d) atleast two weights affixed to said rotor; and (e) a handle for rotatingsaid rotor, said handle being attached to said reel body, wherein saidrotor in combination with said at least one weight has a rotationalimbalance less than 60 g-mm.
 12. A rotor for a spinning reel, said rotorhaving an axis of rotation and having a plurality of components eachhaving a mass, said plurality of components comprising(i) a base endportion, and (ii) first and second arm portions,wherein balancer meanscomprising at least two weights each having a mass is affixed to saidrotor, and wherein said balancer means has a mass that is selected suchthat said rotor in combination with said balancer means has a rotationalimbalance less than 60 g-mm.
 13. A rotor for a spinning reel, said rotorhaving an axis of rotation and having a plurality of components eachhaving a mass, said plurality of components comprising(i) a base endportion, and (ii) first and second arm portionswherein balancer meanscomprising at least two weights each having a mass is affixed to saidrotor, and wherein said components of said rotor have a mass selectedsuch that said rotor in combination with said balancer means has arotational imbalance less than 60 g-mm.
 14. The rotor of claims 12 or 13which further comprises(iii) an arm cam pivotally affixed to said firstarm portion, (iv) a pivotable arm pivotally affixed to said second armportion, and (v) a bail connected to and extending between said arm camand said pivotable arm.
 15. A rotor for a spinning reel, said rotorhaving an axis of rotation and a center of gravity which does not lie onsaid axis of rotation, said rotor comprising a base end portion, firstand second arm portions affixed to said base end portion, and a rotaryflat face,wherein first and second balancer means are affixed to saidrotor, said first balancer means having a center of gravity, said rotorand said first balancer means having a composite center of gravitybetween the center of gravity of said rotor and the center of gravity ofsaid first balancer means, said composite center of gravity defining arotational path about said axis of rotation, and said second balancermeans having a center of gravity on said rotational path opposite saidcomposite center of gravity with respect to said axis of rotation, saidrotor in combination with said first and second balancer means having arotational imbalance less than 60 g-mm.
 16. A rotor for a spinning reel,said rotor comprising(i) a base end portion, (ii) first and second armportions, (iii) an arm cam pivotally affixed to said first arm portion,(iv) a pivotable arm pivotally affixed to said second arm portion, (v) acover member affixed to at least one of said first and second armportions, and (vi) a bail connected to and extending between said armcam and said pivotable arm,wherein at least two of said components(i)-(vi) of said rotor are made from a material having a first specificgravity and the remainder of said rotor is formed from materials havingspecific gravities different from said first specific gravity, such thatsaid rotor has a rotational imbalance less than 60 g-mm.
 17. A rotor fora spinning reel, said rotor having an axis of rotation and first andsecond halves defined by a diametrical line passing through said axis ofrotation,wherein first and second balancer means are affixed to saidrotor, said first balancer means being affixed to said first half ofsaid rotor, said first half and said first balancer means having a firstcomposite center of gravity which defines a first rotational path aboutsaid axis of rotation, said second balancer means being affixed to saidsecond half of said rotor, said second half and said second balancermeans having a second composite center of gravity which defines a secondrotational path about said axis of rotation, and wherein said first andsecond rotational paths are substantially coincident.
 18. The rotor ofclaim 17 having a rotational imbalance less than 60 g-mm.
 19. The rotorof claim 17 having a center of gravity deviation less than 1 mm.
 20. Arotor for a spinning reel, said rotor comprising(i) a base end portion,and (ii) opposed arm portions,wherein at least two weights are affixedto said rotor, and wherein said rotor in combination with said at leastone weight has a rotational imbalance less than 60 g-mm.